There is an old story about a mother who walks in on her six-year-old son and finds him sobbing.
"What's the matter?" she asks.
"I've just figured out how to tie my shoes."
"Well, honey, that's wonderful."
Being a wise mother, she recognizes his victory in the Eriksonian struggle of autonomy versus doubt: "You're growing up, but why are you crying?"
"Because," he says, "now I'll have to do it every day for the rest of my life."
